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Thursday, February 28, 2013

WinPatrol Crash Reported; Solution Available

I have suddenly received a number of reports that WinPatrol is crashing after new alerts are displayed. As soon as you try and respond Yes or No, the WinPatrol monitor dies.

If you have experienced a crash or screen like I’ve displayed below I have an immediate fix you’ll want to know about. You can use the solution provided here and watch for a new version which should be available by tomorrow..

It appears this new error could be related to recent updates of either Windows, Java or Flash. Ironically, it started to happen right after I wrote a critical article about updates adding the Ask Toolbar and/or McAfee Security Scan but I would hate to think it's related. The only reason I installed both Java and Flash was to capture screen shots for my blog article.

The most likely cause of this problem is something included in the recent Windows Update. I hope to isolate the problem so I can report it to Microsoft. Unfortunately, my first priority is to respond to all the Email from WinPatrol customers.

I have duplicated this behavior and I have already have created a version that works. I had hoped to include more features in the new version but instead I will be testing it today and it will be available as soon as I'm comfortable.

I have found that downloading the WinPatrol Enterprise Edition will fix this bug. This version 26.5.2013 is available at http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html and can be used by both Free and PLUS users. You don’t have to subscribe to WinPatrol Enterprise.

The other easy solution if you really miss having Scotty on patrol seems to be removing the check box on the Options tab that says, “Share real-time cloud choices”. I haven’t fully tested this but it is something related to code which happens immediately after you make a choice on the Alert screen. What WinPatrol keeps in our cloud is the decision you make on keeping or removing a program. We collect these choices and make the totals available to WinPatrol PLUS members. This feature helps you make a decision based on the choices of other WinPatrol users. After we fix this bug I hope you’ll recheck this option and participate so WinPatrol users can continue to help each other.

If you notice problems this week with other programs I would be interested. For instance, my laptop is now failing to play sound and I get a message about my sound driver. While I can fix the WinPatrol bug I’m anxious to know why it suddenly occurred and which Windows Update resulted in this change.

If you see anyone post about this problem in a forum feel free to let them know about this solution. Testing the new version will take priority over my participation in forums or responding to most Emails today. I am confident that I will have a new fully tested build by the end of the day.

Another bit of irony, one of the new features planned for the newest release is a way to notify users when a new version is available. That feature has been tested and will be included in the new version.

If you're talking about the launching of WinPatrol.exe requiring UAC you're correct, that isn't necessary and it not a requirement of WinPatrol.exe and never had been. If that has changed it's a complete mystery to me at this time.

Sorry, didn't realize this was so widespread. Thought maybe you were sick or something. Glad to know you're ok and just busy. I finally backtracked and installed a version from last Sept. (25....something) and it so far has seemed to work. When I first installed it, I also d/l the enterprise version, so will probably install that tonight.

Knowing you and your work, I didn't think the problem started with you.

In my case, the "WP Alert" popped up after I applied a trivial update to ASC (Advanced System Care), and ASC then tried to update/install a BHO on IE. WP crashed whether I took a Yes or No for the BHO installation, with a Windows warning that WP had stopped responding, and Windows would close WP.

After reboots, the same WP Alerts are still appearing, presumably because ASC had still not succeeded in installing that BHO. However, after replying Yes or No to WP, WP is just disappearing, with no warning dialogs from Windows.

I have encountered the identical situation described above. In addition, my laptop monitor driver was affected somehow as I suddenly couldn't adjust the screen brightness. It was stuck in the lowest dimmed position. Had to delete and reinstall.

Temporarily unchecking the cloud works for me. It's great to have Scotty back! I hated that he chewed through his leash and ran away all the time. I was just getting ready to send you an email about it. I do not have Java installed.

in case it helps you isolating the issue - since that windows update, apart of experiencing the WinPatrol crash, the 'Resource Monitor' window is empty for me, i.e from the task manager, 'Performance' tab, clicking on the resource monitor pushbutton does open the resource monitor but the content in it is void, transparent.

Thanks Bill, yes I have had this problem with my IBM ThinkPad XT machine. However, I have also had issues (still unresolved) with my Kaspersky Internet Security stopping dead in its tracks while doing a Rootkit Scan after every time I reboot the machine. It was initially getting stuck on an Adobe Photoshop Album file 'pdfcreation.dll' but then after I deleted that file it is now getting stuck on the IBM Updater file 'java'dll. Kappy support have not yet been able to help me! OUCH! after 4 days of mucking around with it all. It 'seems' to have started soon after I took the latest update for my Adobe Flash Player. I would love to know how, who and when this will get sorted out. I have run out of ideas.

Bill - firstly, WInPatrol is such a brilliant product and we love Scotty! Regards the recent crashing, it may be coincidence but I noticed the problem started on my PC just after I installed Google drive...?

Windows XP-SP3-Winpatrol Plus version.I have the same problem and it has been associated with Bitdefender "bdagent". Also, a few nights ago I installed the latest Java, followed by the latest Winpatrol. Scotty kept dying and I decided to reboot. That didn't go very well. Blue screen on reboot with a very common error code. I tried "Last Known Good", shutting down all startup programs and unnecessary drivers....blue screen. Tried to do a Windows repair and it would not let me past the blue screen. To make a longer story shorter, I formatted and re-installed Windows I have not re-installed Java or Winpatrol on this PC as it isn't really necessary.

Hello Bill - This was happening to me on Win XP Pro after a new program was installed(HMA Pro VPN). I considered it a mild annoyance & wouldn't even have realized a fix was available if I had not checked for an update.Your fix of unchecking 'cloud services' worked like a charm.Very nice work and Thank You!

I got the crash after clicking yes to PlayMemoriesHome (a new update to the program)C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\PlayMemories Home\PMBVolumeWatcher.exeI unchecked the cloud option and will see if that works. update: so far so good as it didn't crash this time.

Mine started crashing after I installed the new AT&T Tool software. Never had a problem before that. Had to uninstall AT&T and manually remove a bunch of associated files from the registry, but it did stop crashing.On Win 7, 64-bit.

It's been a rough couple days but I always say, "It doesn't matter what they say as long as they're talking about you.

I've worked hard to reply to everyone who sent Email. Everyone has been patient and many of you offered screen shots and detailed information to help me debug the cause.

I'm pleased to say I have narrowed down the cause I'm anxious to release a new build. i'm sure there are folks who haven't heard about the fix won't have the normal WinPatrol experience.

The new build is done but any release requires preparation beyond testing so I hope a new version will be available tomorrow. It won't crash and will include at least one new feature that you've all be asking for.

WinPatrol crashed on me after the dreaded Google Toolbar tried to update itself (despite being disabled) and I clicked on 'No'. That add-on is *this* close to being nagware. Anyway, thanks for the update and support.

Same as most of the other posters. I updated System Explorer and WinPatrol didn't like it and crashed when I tried to click on the YES button. I have since removed it entirely, but will try again with the enterprise version.

In win 7 I have had scotty fall over and a program also stop with MEM_BAD_POINTERremoved some programs and eventually found by removing Quicktime 7 completely everything seems to work just fineI have problems with XP and scotty dying but removing cloud stopped him doing this.So check if you have updated quicktime to 7 and try removing this.

WinPatrol not only started crashing, it also disappeared from the taskbar!

I was about to uninstall and reinstall WinPatrol when I read others were having the same problems and a new WinPatrol version existed. Thank you.

However, I do have an ongoing problem. WinPatrol alerts me after it has allowed a program and if I do not wish to allow it and click 'No' WinPatrol continues the alert until I click 'Yes'. It does this for every alert!

WinPatrol not only started crashing, it also disappeared from the taskbar!

I was about to uninstall and reinstall WinPatrol when I read others were having the same problems and a new WinPatrol version existed. Thank you.

However, I do have an ongoing problem. WinPatrol alerts me after it has allowed a program and if I do not wish to allow it and click 'No' WinPatrol continues the alert until I click 'Yes'. It does this for every alert!

Hello Bill,Mine started crashinging last week when my Widdcom bluetooth software(from Broadcom Corporation) started. Winpatrol asked if it was ok to allow the pop-up stating a new startup for widcomm was starting, I clicked ok then winpatrol closed or crashed. With the latest update of yours Ver. 26.1.2013, it has not crashed or asked about the widcomm starting up.

My gosh; I've been having numerous symptoms without knowing the cause... It also seems that it started right after Windows and Java updates. I've also had the laptop screen dimming and sound "disabled" messages. I've had problems with AnVir Task Manager, but that has been a little longer problem than this one, I think: do you know of any incompatibilities with that program?

I've had numerous Firefox/ Windows Explorer crashes at about the same time as a WinPatrol message, too.

I just now found your comment and I'm hoping it will solve some of the problems at least. I have a boatload of error messages and WER reports if you want, but it sounds like you've already figured out the problems.

PLEASE post again with more details about your solution and what's involved if you could?? I'm still troubleshooting some of these problems and your solution might help me out :-)

My gosh - I've been having numerous symptoms without knowing the cause! It also seems that it started right after Windows and Java updates. I've also had the laptop screen dimming and sound "disabled" messages. I've had problems with AnVir Task Manager, but that has been a little longer problem than this one, I think: do you know of any incompatibilities with that program?

I've had numerous Firefox/ Windows Explorer crashes at about the same time as a WinPatrol message, too.

I just now found your comment and I'm hoping it will solve some of the problems at least. I have a boatload of error messages and WER reports if you want, but it sounds like you've already figured out the problems.

PLEASE post again with more details about your solution and what's involved if you could?? I'm still troubleshooting some of these problems and your solution might help me out :-)

Hi bill last year I had a similar prob .It happened not once but twice. the files win patrol and web root problems .first time Microsoft tried to update ie explorer from 8 to 9 or ? about 15 mounts a go my hinges broke found out fan did not run on high speed also winpatrol issues had web root confirm . I uninstalled updates as Microsoft instructed an they took control of laptop for a hour tried all (concluestion no update stay ie8 and vista blamed acer laptop ). In early 2012 their was another update where some how it got through to laptop (ie9)an my keyboard stop working so their tech (Microsoft )worked on it for 6 or more hours only keyboard I could use was on screen .I also had trouble with webroot same time and scottie did not install .(concluesion ) back to ie8 all ok said laptop ascer defect .well have or had 11 other ascer same or similar prob. The long winded issue just after last updates from Microsoft my hinge broke thought fan went bad but it was update again that caused fan to not go into high speed .I have been also having trouble with hp laptops from last update not reconizing wireless printers seems network /homegroup changed so printer not listed .The other issue on same hps is winpatrol does not load on startup have more info and corespondance I can send u ,.